Israel Folau takes aim at transgender children, gays in church sermon

Israel Folau has launched another attack on gay people during a sermon at his Sydney church and also criticised young people being allowed to change gender.   

The former rugby star described homosexuality as a sin and claimed the devil was behind primary school children being allowed to decide if they wanted to change gender.   

"This is what the devil is trying to do - to instil into the government, into this world, into society - and it is slowly happening," Folau said in his Sunday sermon at The Truth of Jesus Christ Church in Kenthurst.   

"The sad thing is why a lot of people out there that are non-Christians say bad things about the church, is because a lot of the churches allow those things to happen.   

"They say that a man and a man should be able to be married, and there is nothing wrong with it. This buys into the theme of pleasing man rather than pleasing God and standing up for the truth."   

The 30-year-old's rant was posted on the church's Facebook page.   

Folau also criticised modern "westernised" churches and said true believers in Christ "profess him wherever we go".   

"Are we too scared because we might be cast out by our workplace or cast out of somewhere, because we're not liked or loved by those around us, and don't believe the same thing we do?" he asked.   

"You might be the only born-again Christian in that workplace. You might feel a bit awkward with your co-workers, because they are in the world and you're not.

"We should feel blessed... because God has called us."   

The former Wallaby's Australia contract, worth millions, was torn up last month, after he refused to take down an Instagram post that quoted bible scripture, and said "hell awaits" homosexuals and other sinners.   

Folau has launched legal proceedings with the Fair Work Commission against Rugby Australia and is seeking up to $10 million in damages.   

AAP